Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-10-23
CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSIONER EDGERTOES VIEWS.
A Sensible and Conservative Interpretation Of
the Law.
OBERLYS CRANK ORDER RRNOUNCED
Government Employees Not Denied Their
Rights as Citizens.

WASHINGTON, October 22.-Cigil Ser
vice Commissioner Edgerton, during an
interview had with him by an Associated
Press reporter yesterday, was asked If, in
his opinion, Government clerks and other
employees had right unabridged by the
civil service law to associate themselves
together as 3 society or association for the
purpose OF advancing the interests OF any
political party, and whether such society
or association has q right to assess its
members or to receive from them, directly
or indirectly, contributions for political
purposes.
"Unquestionably they have that right, 1"
replied Mr.. EdgeEtOn. When a person
has successfully passed q civil service ex-
animation, and has been duly certified and
permanently appointed to the classified
service, there the authority OF the Com
mission ceases and his action thereafter
is controlled by the appointing power.
From that moment his action is outside
the control, authority, influence or power
OF the Civil Service Commission. lie is
entirely outside of their jurisdiction"
But" queried the reporter, sis not the
commission charged with the enforcement
of the Civil Service law, and does not that
law prohibit such contributions"
Section Is, of the act Of January lG,
lsS3, says that
NO OFFICER, CLERK,
or other person in the service of the United
States, shall directly or indirectly give n
hand over to any other officers, clerk, or
person in the service of the United States,
OF to any Senator or member of the House
OF Representatives, or Territorial Dele
gates, any money or any other valuable
thing, on account OF or to be applied to the
promotion of any polite object whatever. j"
"Is not the Civil Service Commissioners
responsible for the enforcement OF that
law in its letter and spirit?'
Certainly il is, said Dir. EdgertOn,
"but that law has nothing to do with in
diyiduals outside OF their offices or official
positions. Nothing is said about assOcia-
tions; the commission is not licensed as a
detective association, nor clothed with its
functions or authority
EX-CommiSSiOners Eaton and Gregory,
in a letter to the President, dated October
10, 1885, state that il hardly need be said
that the commission has no authority con
cerning the enforcement of the criminal
prOyisiOns Of the civil service act. The
President, in his circular letter Of July IA,
1SS6, to heads OF departments, SAYS that
INDIVIDUAL INTEREST AND ACTIVITY
in political affairs are by no means COM
mended. Otice-hOlders are neither dis
franChised nor forbidden the exercise of
political privileges, but their privileges
are not enlarged, nor IL their duty to party
increased to perniclOus activity by office
holding
Can anything be palmer in its mean
ING than that ~ said Mr.. EdgeTtOn. Does
the President, anywhere in that letter, in-
innate that clerk must become a pOliti-
cal mute? No, sir. 1t is perniciOus ac-
tiyity. Ii is the brawliug ohiciOusness
| that the President condemns, aS do all
| right thinking men, but an honest effort
| in the interest OF the party in whose prin-
ciples he believes, is cOmmendable."
What are your views in regard to Mr..
| Oberley's recent order, that members OF
any political commission or association, or
any one engaged in the work of promoting
the interests OF any political party, shall
not be eligible for appointment on boards
/ OF civil service examiners" was asked:
IL think such an order is not justified
/ by the law or any order made by the Presi-
dent. 1t involves political inquiry, by the
commission, a right or privilege denied il
/ by the law" was the reply. "lle might
as well order that any man
BELONGING TO ANY PARTY
OF religious society shall be ineligible fol
appointment on such board" mo sir, .
he continued, 'All OF this is outside OF The
| jurisdiction of the vii service commits
sion. thoroughly believe in an honest
! Interpretation of the civil service law.
believe in enforcing that Law in the man
uer Congress intended to have it enforced
| But do not believe in straining afte
something nobody knows what, for politi
cal OF personal effect, and | believe tha
| the President and thFeeionrthS Of tn,
Democratic party will sustain my posi-
tiOn."